Home Theater Questions - Gurus? Experts?

[lcdguy]

didn't realize that since i haven't bought a reciever in 2 years.

[BlueByte]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Harmon kardon and denon WERE good until the became mass marketed. Now pioneer, marantz, yamaha, and nad are some of the better brands. I would buy onkyo before hk or denon from big stores.

I kind of wondered the current quality of denon.... I used to like them so sad another one has gone down hill. I could never get over the cheap feel of Harmon Kardon knobs.

[lcdguy]

I agree. Thankfully i don't think marantz will go that way. On the other hand you could go nuts and get one of these

McIntosh MX151,MX151 McIntosh Processor, MX151 A/V Control Center

plus you'll need an amp

McIntosh McIntosh MC8207, 7 Channel Amplifier, 7 Channel Audio Amp MC8207

[Arinoth]

My proposed solution would more then likely be above your price point, however since moving to a dedicated amplifier the sound quality and the level of sound my speakers/sub can put out have been vastly better then that of the amps built into receivers. I also enjoy that my amp can deliver full wattage to all my speakers rather then begin to drop once you typically hit 5.1 (which most receivers end up doing).

Right now I have this amp UPA-500 Five-Channel Power Amplifier | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and (note how it can deliver full sound to all the speakers, look at the specs of a lot of receivers and it can't do that).

I eventually plan to pair it with the pre-amp/processor UMC-1 A/V Processor | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplif when I have the money (aka after school).

This will deliver high quality theatre level sound, though cost a bit more then the receiver route.

[lcdguy]

now you got my wallet itching to spend. Curse you

Unfortunately i would need a UPA-500 and a UPA-200 to drive all my speakers.

[BlueByte]

Damn those are pretty reasonable prices....

[Arinoth]

You could get away with a mini-x-a-100 for the two remaining speakers as they may not need the added wattage as they are more to help give a full surround sound.

You'd need to drive the UPAs with either a pre-amp/processor such as the one I listed, or a receiver as the amplifier will not decode the audio, it will only increase the wattage.

[lcdguy]

well the book shelfs are rate around 120-130watts each. so i am not sure.

Here are the recommended maxes for my speakers.

Fronts - 225W @ 8ohms
Surrounds - 100W @ 8ohms
Surround Backs - 125W @ 8ohms
Centre - 150W@ 8ohms

[Arinoth]

Ahh was trying to potentially save you some money if you went that route (or the route i've gone)

[lcdguy]

i actually took another look and i would need around 4 seperate amps to run it all at a higher rating than my current reciever so i don't think it would be a good investment.